The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-24
ALAsKA's ATTRACTIONS.
Besides Glaciers and Volcanoes. 1t Has Other
Resources of Greater Value.

Besides Glaciers and Volcanoes. 1t Has Other
Resources of Greater Value.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, April 23.-s'Some day. not far
distant. Alaska will be one Of the choicest por-
tions Of tho United States" said government
Official, who has just arrived from that far-off
section and who has been telling some of his
experiences this morning ALASKA 10 an
enormous tract Of country. he continued, 'and
neither its size nor resources are understood by
any considerable portion OF orr people. Very
few, indeed. comprehend its extent or physical
characteristics. From is extreme north to
south it is 400 miles in air line. or as far as
from Maine to Florida; and from its eastern
boundary to the end Of the Aleutian islands,
1900 miles on an air line, or as far as from
Washington to cur western frontier The
island of Attu, at the end of the Aleu-
tian chain, is as far west Of San Fran
cisco as Maine is east SO that between the
extreme Eastern and Western sections Of the
United States San Francisco is the great central
city. Or. take another basis of comparison:
Alaska is as large all New England and tho
Middle States. together with Ohio, Indiana, Illi-
nois, Wisconsin, Michigan. Kentucky and Ten
nessse combined. or as large as all the United
States eas' OF the n1ssissippi river and north or
Georgia and the CaroInas, or nearly one-sixth
of the entire area of the United States II has
coast line Of 1921 miles or nearly twice as
much as the Atlantic and Pacific coast lines of
the remaining portions Of the United States.
The total area OF the islands of Alaska 10 81 205
square miles which would make State as large
as the great State OF Maine. Alaska is the region
of the highest mountain peaks in the United
States The coast range of California and the
mountain range Of Colorado and Montana unto
| to form the Alaska mountains. This
range, instead OF continuing north
ward to the Arctic ocean, as the old
aliases represent, turns to the south ward at the
| upper ramparts of the Yukon. extends through
| and forms tho Alaska peninsula. and then grad
/ nally sinks into the Pacific ocean, leaving only
| the highest peaks visible above the water.
/ These peaks form the Aleutian chain OF islands.
The islands decrease in size. height and fre-
| quency as the mountain range sinks into the
| ocean. Unimak, tho most eastern of the chain,
| has that magnificent Volcano Shishaldin, 5000
feet high; then Unalaska, 5.96l feet; next Atka,
4.652 feet, etc In the Al3skan range ara the
| highest peaks in the United States. 1t is the
/ Unimak Pass nearly every deep euch has its
| deep glacier. some of which are vastly greater
and grander than any glacier OF the Alps
/ On Lynn canal 10 a glacier. computed tc be
1000 feet thick at the .snout.' or lower
projection. Alaska is covered with hot and min
erai springs. and its varying climate makes it q
resort for certain invalids. Some Of the spfin 70
/ are already noted for their curative qualities.
| There are sulphur springs. boiling springs. and
| all kinds of spiangs The boiling springs have
| long been used by the natives for cooking rur-
| poses. A lake strongly impregnated with nitro
! isfound on Beaver island There more miles of
pavigabie rivers in Alaska than in any other por-
ton of the United States. In sections the climate
| Is salubrious the year round. There are i'm
mense valleys where crops may be raised. great